Treatments and Side Effects

In this section you'll find general information about the types of treatments used against cancer. This includes both traditional therapies (such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy), newer forms of treatment (including information on clinical trials), and complementary and alternative therapies. We'll also discuss the possible side effects of these treatments. For more specific information on how a certain type of cancer is treated, please visit our Cancer A to Z section.

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Learn about Treatments

Planning cancer treatment can take time. Find out what you need to know about the most common types of cancer treatment, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. Learn how they work and what to expect if they are part of your treatment plan.

Clinical Trials

Some cancer treatments are still experimental and are only available through clinical trials. Here you can learn how clinical trials work, find tools to help you decide if a clinical trial may be right for you, and search for specific studies you may be eligible to take part in.

Preparing for and Getting Treatment

What Happens if Treatment Isn't Working?

If one type of cancer treatment stops working and the cancer either keeps growing or comes back, another type of treatment might help. But when many different treatments have been tried and are no longer controlling the cancer, it could be time to weigh the benefits and risks of continuing to try new treatments.